Police add website feature to help nab suspects

Halton police are making it easier for residents to identify suspects who have been caught on tape by adding a new feature to the police website.

The ‘Caught on Tape’ portion of the website features select video footage and still images of persons of interest or suspects wanted in connection with certain investigations.

The feature also lists the crime the person is wanted in connection with and the date, location and time the offence allegedly occurred. By clicking on ‘Occurrence No.’, residents can get more information about the incident as well as contact information for the investigating officers.

Some of the incidents currently posted on the new section of the website include sexual assault, indecent act, theft, break and enter, robbery and assault.

If a member of the public recognizes an individual in the ‘Caught on Tape’ section, they can confidentially contact investigators via phone or email, or use Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) to ensure complete anonymity.

“The public plays an integral part in preventing and deterring crime in their neighbourhoods. Now more than ever, they can also actively assist police in identifying individuals who are of interest to police, in connection with various crimes committed across Halton,” said Halton Police Chief Steve Tanner.

“The improvements in the quality of video footage captured on security and closed circuit cameras has vastly improved in recent years, making it very easy to identify the individuals involved,” said the chief.

“By sharing these images and video footage of suspects with the public via our website, we hope to solve more crimes in Halton, and improve our clearance rates, thanks to the assistance of the public,” said Tanner.

The new ‘Caught on Tape’ section of the website can be linked to directly at www.haltonpolice.ca/CrimeFiles/Pages/CaughtOnTape.aspx.